• Road Accident Claims
• Car Accidents
• Cycle Accidents
• Motorcycle Accidents
• Passenger Injuries
• Pedestrian Injuries
• Lorry HGV Collisions
• Whiplash Injury

The main cause of motorcycle accident claims relates to the negligent actions of other careless road users. Claims involving motorcycle riders often give rise to substantial compensation claims as they are one of the most unprotected and vulnerable classes of road user.

The accident statistics are horrendous and motor bike riders are almost 20 times more likely to die in a motor vehicle accident than the occupants of a car. Head injury is the leading cause of death and serious injury, particularly when a motorcycle accident involves a heavy goods vehicle.

• 75% of motorbike accidents involve collision with another vehicle
• 5% of accidents result from mechanical failure, most of which were blowouts
• 5% of accidents result from highway defects
• 5% of motorbike accidents are contributed to by inclement weather
• 70% of multiple vehicle accidents are caused by the driver of the other vehicle failing to accord right of way

Some motorcycle accidents are as a result of a defect in the highway. These defects could be the result of faulty road design, disrepair, inadequate maintenance or failure to remove a road hazard. Claims can be made against a local or national highway authority for defective road repair or inadequate design and if the cause of spillage is known, a claim can be made against the perpetrator. It can be difficult to establish that the responsible party either knew of the road defect or should have reasonably known about the defect

Damages in a motorcycle accident compensation claim can include the following items:

• psychological damage
• pain and suffering
• loss of past and future income
• assistance for the future
• medical expenses for the past and for the future
• damage to motorbike or property
• loss of amenities of life

Our personal injury solicitors are able to deal with a wide range of accident claims varying from minor whiplash to spinal injury and brain damage. If you’ve been involved in an accident we can help you to preserve your legal right to compensation. We offer free consultations for advice to find out whether you have a good case, how to go about claiming and how much your compensation might be worth. We will give you clear unequivocal advice about your chances of success and the anticipated value of your claim. If after talking to us you decide not to take your motorcycle accident claims further you are under no obligation to do so and you will not be charged anything at all.

Always Wear a Helmet

Whether or not the other party was at fault is not the only factor that affects the success of your motorcycle accident compensation claim. The civil courts will also consider the amount of responsibility, if any, the motorcycle rider bears with regard to the accident and their injuries. A motorcyclist who was not wearing adequate safety gear at the time of the accident would clearly be more likely to suffer serious injuries and an accident victim’s award can be reduced if the court finds that the victim’s own negligent behaviour contributed to their injuries.




Evaluate the Options

The most important piece of safety gear for all motorcycle riders is a helmet. However not just any old helmet will do. Some of the helmets on the market are geared more towards style rather than safety. When shopping for and purchasing a helmet, motorcyclists should carefully evaluate their options. The purpose of wearing a helmet is to protect the most vulnerable parts of your body being your brain and skull. Adequate protection for your chin should be a top factor when purchasing a helmet. Many cyclists are surprised to learn that the chin is actually the area with the greatest chance of being injured at 35%. Next is the front cranium (22%) and third is the visor area (10%). The best option is a full-faced helmet.




Routine Inspections

Motorcyclists should perform routine inspections of their bike and promptly correct any problems they may find before taking the bike back out onto the road. Keeping your bike well-maintained is a critical component of motorcycle safety. A mechanical failure could cause or contribute to an accident. If part or all of the accident can be attributed to the rider’s negligence in failing to maintain their bike, then the value of a motorcycle accident personal injury compensation claim will be reduced or even denied.




Tyre Safety

Be sure that your tyres are in good condition. For example, check your tyre pressure before you ride your bike, even if you are only planning to make a short trip. It takes just a moment to ensure that tyres are properly inflated. Another thing to look for with regard to motorcycle tyres is the tread. Over time the tread on your tyres wear down. You can tell if it’s time to change your tyres by checking the wear indicator on the grooves.




Maintenance Schedule

It is also a good idea to schedule regular maintenance check-ups with your mechanic. Having your motorcycle tuned up on a regular basis will also help your bike run better. A mechanic may be able to detect problems that those without training could miss.




Motorcycle Helmet

The most important piece of protective gear a motorcyclist should wear is a helmet. Without a helmet, a motorcycle rider’s head is extremely vulnerable to injury in the event of an accident. Make sure that your helmet is in good condition. Worn straps, for example, could break if put under strain, resulting in your helmet coming off during a collision. Another defect to watch out for is a scratched visor, which can impair your vision.




Boots Trousers & gloves

Another area of your body that is vulnerable to serious injury in the event of a motorcycle accident are your legs. Motorcyclists should be in the habit of wearing long pants and boots when riding their bikes. Strong boots can prevent your feet from being crushed. Gloves are also important because they provide protection for your palms. Palms are vulnerable to cuts and abrasions, largely because of our instinct to brace with our hands out flat during a fall.




Leather & Kevlar

Traditionally, protective clothing worn when riding a motorcycle is made of leather. Leather pants and jackets have long been a popular choice amongst motorcyclists for both protection and style. Synthetic materials which replicate leather in look and feel are now available, and most provide comparable protection to leather. The best protection is offered by clothing reinforced with Kevlar.

copyright 1999